BIOPROSPECTING ECONOMY PROGRESS PER INITIATIVE

Initiatives Progress

Initiative 4

Develop and implement an electronic BABS permitting system and centralized database-

 Development of the Bioprospecting Access and Benefit Sharing (BABS) online permitting system has been completed and tested with academics and bioprospecting sectors. Training has also been provided.

 Bioprospecting Access and Benefit Sharing (BABS) online permitting system is expected to be officially launched in April 2023.

Initiative 5

Establish a Bio-Product Advancement Network of South Africa (BioPANZA) to coordinate the sector and address the innovation chasm.

• The Biopanza is comprised of five Clusters namely Finance, Innovation, Market Access, Sustainable Supply, Policy and Regulations.

• Four of the five clusters have since been established and these include Finance, Market Access , Innovation and the Sustainable Supply clusters.

• Development of the Bioproducts Advancement Network South Africa Website has been completed and uploading of final touches on content is in progress.

Initiative 6

Promotion of mass cultivation for 25 priority plant species

• 3828 ha have been cultivated with indigenous species since 2019.

• The Presidential Economic Stimulus pilot project involving 19 traditional authorities in Limpopo and Eastern Cape is in progress, i.e., appointment of Project Manager/s to implement the project is expected to be finalised in March 2023 with work expected to commence soon thereafter. This Pilot project will provide temporary employment to 2451 community members through mass cultivation of indigenous species 9